Random

Family Reunion

| Susan

My mother had 16 first cousins and her family was very close. So, it’s a little odd that there hasn’t been a reunion since 1991. Due to some heavy pushing from a few dogged relatives, we’re breaking that trend and meeting next week Friday in Monterey, CA. Of course, I couldn’t resist designing a T-shirt for the event. Here’s the front of the shirt, available through Zazzle. FinalShirtDesign_web

I was floored with the technology that’s now available for printing. They can reproduce a full color design on pretty much anything, in any quantity FAST. Being from the old school of T-shirt design and production (I created and screen printed t-shirts and handbags for my own micro-business on Kaua’i, a gazillion years ago) I find this nothing short of miraculous. Of course, I’ve been told that it’s not the same quality as screen printing, but I guess I’ll find out.

Anyway, I’m being prophetic in assuming that we’ll survive all the cousins, aunts, uncles and sisters for 3 days in beautiful Monterey. So, the back side is as follows:

I_survived_the_Reunion_web

I do wish I’d said “the Family Reunion” and said where it’s being held, but truthfully, the design took up all of my weekend and I burned out on it.

Grand Newsstand and Robin’s Studio

| Susan

I just spent a day with Dominique and Robin in Oakland at Robin’s. Her house is beautiful and her studio is every artist’s fantasy – wonderful light, space, and all kinds of fantastic supplies. I couldn’t resist drawing one wall of the space, chock-a-block with treasures.robinsstudio1

I am also fascinated with the Grand Newsstand on Market which sells a variety of ZINES. It’s such a cool kiosk type of thing and of course, I love zines!

grandnewsstand

Miscellaneous Sketches 2016

Image | | Susan

Three legged chicken at Palisades Amusement Park. Tobie, do you remember this?

When I was a kid, I went with Tobie and Dad to Palisades Amusement Park. Tobie really wanted to go to the Freak Show but I was too scared. When I asked her how they got a three-legged chicken, she said, “I don’t know—they paste another one on?”

three legged chicken

This kangaroo mouse guy keeps showing up in my illustrations. Here he is about to leap off a building. But his cousin is relaxing under a tree while listening to some music.

kangaroosnap

 

Here’s the scene at the Salon in Corte Madera. Sketching is something to do while I’m waiting for the color to set.atthesalon

Bolinas house over the water. It’s the most picturesque place in town as far as I’m concerned. Love it!

bolinas

Harvey and Eli gave us a concert after dinner at Thanksgiving. They played a great duet! Harvey is a virtuoso clarinetist. And he kinda looks like Benny Goodman :).

harveyplaysthanksgiving

Marin County Fair

| Susan
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Award winning Artichoke Flower

Enjoyed the Marin County Fair today. Lots of rides, art, food, booths selling junk, fruits, veggies, animals, bonzai trees, ikebana arrangements,  Star Wars Storm Troopers, Princess Leia, and R2D2, open mike singers, and Mickey Thomas Starship (not to be confused with the Jefferson Starship).

They had a pig race, which was pretty weird. I was compelled to draw this artichoke flower, which won some kind of prize.

There were lots of roosters and chickens and bunny rabbits as well. The roosters have some amazing colors and patterns.

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The Polish rooster looked kind of like a cocky Rod Stewart with long black and white feathers. 

Another rooster had white feathers with black edging which almost looked like someone had drawn them on with a black ink pen.

The paddock with llamas had a little placard which asserted that they are gentle, intelligent creatures but I have different experience with llamas.

When we went to the Turtle Back Zoo as kids, we used to feed the them RY-Krisp crackers.  Once when we ran out of crackers, the llama spat at my mother which, of course, pissed off my mom and forever rendered the llamas an unpopular breed to our family.